Cleveland High supporters hula = big moola

The Warriors' benefactors at Cleveland High School topped last year's '007 License to Spend' spy-themed shindig by taking the annual fund-raiser in a laid-back, tropical direction this year.

'We're having a Hawaiian luau,' said event chair Vikki Melrose, as patrons filed into the sold-out event on March 1st. 'The theme of our annual auction this year is 'Hula for Moola'. We're raising money to help support academics, performing arts, and athletics at Cleveland.'

Over 100 volunteers associated with the school's Parent Teacher Association volunteered hundreds of hours to produce the evening's event, Melrose noted, along with four Chairs and a formal committee of 40.

'Even though it's a public school, we don't have enough funding,' Melrose said. 'If we don't help raise money, the school will be forced to cut programs we think are necessary and important, here at Cleveland.'

The event, held at the Oaks Park Pavilion - in a huge heated tent that more than doubled the size of banquet room - was a sell-out, with 430 guests attending.

After the silent auction, the casually-dressed group sat down to a meal of island delicacies catered by Noho's Hawaiian Café, and enjoyed music and hula dancing provided by Roland Espy.

Then, the action picked up, as auctioneer Chris Sheik got top dollar for vacation home rentals at the Oregon Coast, Central Oregon, and Mexico; tickets and passes to cultural events; dinners at leading restaurants; sports memorabilia; and VIP tickets to local sporting events. Between the two auctions, revelers bid on a record 500 items and packages.

After the event, Melrose reported, 'It went really well. We met our goal of netting $100,000. The Chairs thank all of our dedicated volunteers who worked to make this event a big success; and, all of our supporters who attended and bid so generously.'